What a Drag

'93 Grand Prix 3.1 automatic. 110,000 miles.
This car hasn't been driven much since I got a job 37 miles from home and I
got a Grand Am because of better gas mileage. I do drive it a little each

month to keep it working. It is always stored under cover.
This last weekend when I was driving it I noticed something wrong. When
sitting on level ground, the engine hot, I shifted from park to reverse. I
expected to start rolling before I gave it gas but it did not move. Thinking
that I must have set the parking brake, I pulled the lever, but that was not
it. I gave it some gas and it started moving with a groan. After letting off
the gas, I could feel a drag.
My first thought was the brakes were not releasing all the way. But with the
car in park and grabbing a tire I can roll the car back and forth easily.
Also when I stop after 37 miles of freeway driving, the brakes are cool.
The problem is not noticeable when the engine is cold but that is probably
due to the fast idle.
I've changed the tranny fluid and filter two or three times last time about
15,000 miles ago. The brake fluid has been changed several times too.
I've driven about 200 miles since I first noticed it and it has not gotten
better or worse.
Any Ideas?
Thanks,
Scott

Have you checked the fluid level? Groaning into reverse is the first
symptom of low fluid usually.
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
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Scott Buchanan wrote:

Could you have issues with a CV or U joint worn and not liking reverse
anymore? They usually will give a jerk or clunk when they get really
bad.
I also would check the engine mounts out. If one is bad enough it might
allow something to bind or rub when reverse it hit. You can check them
by having someone hold the brake solid and putting it into gear then
giving it a little gas while you watch the engine from the side with the
hood up. If the engine lifts up in either forward or reverse, suspect a
bad mount.
I would also think about the rear brakes. If there is rust buildup on
the drums, the brakes might grab when going in reverse. The shoes move
on the backing plate between forward and reverse usually for the
emergency brake and self adjuster and might grab in reverse. This would
go away with use.
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id !15147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
Scott Buchanan wrote:

No drums. Disk on back. I've eliminated brakes because I can feel the drag
either in forward or reverse put it in Park get out and easily move the car
forward and back until the parking pawl stops movement. Also there is no
heat build up after long freeway driving. I am thinking it might be a clutch
partially engaged in the transmission when it shouldn't be.
Thanks

Should have mentioned this too: It does pretty much the same thing in
forward as well as reverse. One test that I did is when I put it drive and
felt the drag I put it in park and could push the car easily back and forth.

Low trans pump pressure or bad regulator(s) in valve body. Worse hot
performance suggests it is an oil clearance issue, perhaps between the
drive gear, driven gear, or machined well in the front pump housing.
A simple preliminary check of trans line pressure would be advisable.
Toyota MDT in MO

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